Firsts are special—and for our inaugural digital cover story, we couldn’t have asked for a better choice than sarod maestros Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, sons of the renowned Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. The brothers, whose music continues to transcend borders, tell us about what it's been like to maintain a classical legacy and their evolving musical journeys.
Lineage and Responsibility
Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash grew up in a home founded on music, given that their father is the celebrated sarod virtuoso Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. We ask if the legacy they inherited ever weighs heavily on them.
“Personally, I think, with hard work you can make it extraordinary. You can be born into the best [family], but you can become bigger and better [only] by working really hard. Not being given an opportunity is not a crime, but wasting an opportunity is a big one. So, for both my brother and I, being born here meant a lot, and we are completely aware that whatever little that we have achieved would have [otherwise] taken us another 40 to 50 years to do so,” says Amaan.
“It’s a big blessing to be a part of this legacy, but having said that your legacy should speak for itself through your craft. That’s why along with that blessing quotient, you are who you are because of the craft. There is a constant need to introspect and retrospect. Keep walking with grace and dignity, because it is a long journey,” says Ayaan.
When the two step onto an international stage, they not only carry their family name but also the weight of Indian classical music on their shoulders. We ask what emotion anchors the two in those moments.
“It has to be a good show; no mediocrity. You should always strive to be the best. How people perceive you is their choice; where God places you is His decision. But giving your 100 per cent is in your hands. When people tell me, ‘Your parents must be so proud’, that really matters to me,” says Amaan.
Ayaan adds, “You are also representing your country and an art form that has been nurtured for hundreds of years. We’re cultural ambassadors in that sense.”
Brotherhood and On-Stage Chemistry
We ask how their relationship with each other translates on stage. “Basically, it’s our journey with our music that translates on stage. We respect each other, so while performing there is no desperation to prove a point. We are more concerned about how we come across as a team, which is more appealing, more beautiful. It is not about personal gain, it's about being together,” says Amaan.
Ayaan belives that creative journeys can be individualistic at points. “Having said that, it helps if you know the person you’re collaborating with. In our case, aside from [the spirit of] collaboration, there is a deep telepathy [between us]. Our nature also reflects in our music. It’s like [assembling] a bouquet of flowers and making it look good; not just an individual flower. In the long run, we always look at the larger picture. The intent is to deliver the best of our versions,” he adds.
On sharing the stage with each other, Ayaan says, “It’s a moment of happiness and togetherness on stage. It’s about celebration. It’s not about going on stage and thinking you’re going to give a test or something. It’s about celebrating all the hard work you’ve done off stage and then going on stage, sharing your music with each other, and trying to produce something magical; something that will go down in history.”
For Amaan, being on stage together with his brother is akin to being in his comfort zone. “It’s extremely relaxing, because one knows that we can both take different routes and, eventually, reach the same destination. It’s also interesting because there’s no written score. Everything happens on stage. There’s no rehearsal. So, it’s an emotional and musically inspiring moment when we’re on stage.”
Looking Ahead
The brothers are working on collaborations with other artists including one with the English musician Yungblud. “Beyond being an extraordinary artist, he was incredibly humble, open-hearted, and deeply curious—eager to absorb new musical ideas and fearless in breaking boundaries. His openness and authenticity made the collaboration inspiring, and his commitment to pushing the limits of rock ’n’ roll felt refreshing and meaningful,” says Amaan about the artist.
Upcoming projects include working on their independent studio album ‘Celebrating Our Tigers’, in association with the World Wide Fund for Nature-India, and a collaboration with the English virtual band Gorillaz on their India-themed album ‘The Mountain’.
Amaan and Ayaan also recently contributed to ‘Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness The Dalai Lama’ that has been nominated for the upcoming 68th Annual Grammy Awards, scheduled for February 1, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
About the future, Amaan says, “A lot of projects are coming up: US tours, albums, collaborations, and scoring music for The Leela (Palaces). We don’t make rigid plans. Things keep coming up, and we take them up one by one.”
“For creatives, there’s no rulebook. Sometimes, you don’t write the story, the story writes you. You surrender to the process,” concludes Ayaan.
